For the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, a scoping study was commissioned to develop a framework for the Water Pillar: an investment vehicle for water infrastructure and capacity development that generate regional benefits. The objective of the study is to develop the scope of the Water Pillar Framework that includes a roadmap of national development interventions for each of the five Central Asian Republics that responds to the prevailing challenges and opportunities in water resources management. FutureWater analyses the climate change and regional water resources trends of the five Central Asian states. Following this study, in a second phase, a regional consultative process leads to the identification of a number of projects that will be taken forward over the next years, and concept notes of priority activities are prepared.
Recently, the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program introduced agriculture and water as a new cluster in its strategic framework. Recognizing the complexities of the water sector and the existing landscape of cooperation activities, the strategic framework proposes a complementary approach that uses the strengths of CAREC to further promote dialogue on water issues. A scoping study was commissioned, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), to develop a framework for the Water Pillar for further consideration by the governing bodies of CAREC. It was agreed that the initial focus of the Water Pillar should be on the five Central Asian states with consideration given to expanding to other CAREC member countries over time.
The objective of the study is to develop the scope of a Water Pillar Framework that includes a roadmap of national development interventions for each of the five Central Asian Republics that responds to the prevailing challenges and opportunities in water resources management.
The framework will be derived from three specific outputs:
- Output 1: Projection of future availability and demand for water resources for the Central Asia region up to 2050 including implications of climate change.
- Output 2: Identification of future water resources development and management opportunities in the form of a sector specific framework for water resources infrastructure taking into consideration sustainability issues through a comparative assessment of cost recovery mechanisms and operation and maintenance (O&M) practices.
- Output 3: Preparation of a framework for policy and institutional strengthening that addresses common themes and issues related to national water resources legislation and the capacity and knowledge development needs of water resources agencies with an emphasis on economic aspects and sustainable financing.
For this work, FutureWater provides key inputs on the climate change and water resources aspects, including desk review, stakeholder consultations across the five regions and across all sectors, and analysis of climate change risks and identification of adaptation options that have a regional dimension and can be taken up through regional or bilateral cooperation. Following the scoping study, FutureWater supports in the identification of priority activities based on an extensive consultative process in the region, with emphasis on climate resilience. Also it supports the identification of potential water pillar development partners and financing opportunities, including steps needed to qualify for climate finance.
Publicaciones relacionadas
2021 - Technical Report
Bird, J., J.E. Hunink, J. Winpenny, S. Chikanayev, 2021. Developing the Water Pillar - Scoping Report. Asian Development Bank, TA-9977X
CAREC: Water Pillar Scoping Report
Bird, J., J.E. Hunink, J. Winpenny, S. Chikanayev
2021 - Technical Report
Hunink, J.E., J. Bird, 2021. Scoping Study for the CAREC Water Pillar: Climate Resilience Through Regional Cooperation . FutureWater Report 240.XScoping Study for the CAREC Water Pillar: Climate Resilience Through Regional Cooperation
Hunink, J.E., J. Bird
